Home Energy Costs vs. Water Shortage
Problems in the housing market will continue into next year, so the concern over quality in the building and mortgage industry will continue to play on the public's mind. While the recent housing bust has lead to improved housing legislation across the country, a new wave of home building issues has recently surfaced with the growing demand for green technology.
Saving the Earth
With energy and fuel costs through the roof and epic droughts in states like Georgia threatening water supply for millions of people, homeowners today are facing the dilemma of which environment issue to combat first. In Houston, neighborhoods near the downtown area are experiencing renewal, as more people are looking to settle down in communities where they can live, work and play. Fuel costs and commute times have come to play an integral role in the home-building landscape.
But when it comes to going green, don't rush out to buy the latest environmentally friendly appliance just because it's all the new rage. Consumers need to be aware of the effectiveness of the types of appliances they buy for their home. You may find yourself installing the latest energy-efficient gizmo, when you should be more concerned with installing water conserving appliances and fixtures instead. While I think that any person in Georgia would appreciate an energy-efficient home, a home that requires less water would be a bigger benefit for the homeowner and everyone else in the community.
Look at bigger picture
If you're showing your home to potential buyers, a great selling point would be to explain to them how your home meets the needs of the surrounding area in which it's located. Here in Texas, we just came out of a 10-year drought last year, but water shortage continues to remain an issue for us. During my home inspections, I've started to notice more people installing appliances and fixtures that will reduce their energy bills.
While it's never a bad thing to want to cut down on your energy bill, homeowners shouldn't lose focus on other pressing issues that will impact their home value. Home repairs and maintenance should be something that is done while you're living in your home, not just when you're getting ready to sell. After all, designing a better home just means a better quality of life for you and your family.
Frank Schulte-Ladbeck, Professional Real Estate Inspector
Comments
Frank, we've all heard about Energy Star appliances that are energy efficient, but what are some of the inexpensive water-conserving gizmos that someone can use in their home?
First, it should be noted that some energy efficient appliances do not have the Energy Star label, like Bosch appliances, but they can be more efficient than many others. So you have to check. The government has set up a program like Energy Star for water conserving appliances, but it has not received the same notice. It is not even a year old yet. In the hardware stores, you have to look for the term "low flow". Although this has had a bad reputation in the media, most low flow products are well made now. My favorite for showers and faucets is the adjustable flow, where you can set the flow to your desired amount. For example, in the shower I could have it set to low flow for most of the shower, but then on a higher flow for rinsing off. American Standard has a commode that is 1.3 gallons per flush (gpf) that is said to work well, which is below the 1.6 gpf standard for other commodes.
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